Hindi madaling magbitiw sa tungkulin, lalo na kung ito ay laban para sa katotohanan at integridad. Ganito ang ginawa ni Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong nang ianunsyo niya ang pagbibitiw bilang special adviser ng Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
Sa harap ng mga mata ng publiko, malinaw ang dahilan ng kanyang desisyon:
“This was not an easy choice, but one I believe is necessary,” ani Magalong.
“However, recent developments have cast doubt on the independence of the Commission. Independence is the bedrock of accountability, and without it, our credibility is compromised. I refuse to allow these doubts to weaken the ICI and its mandate. That is why I have chosen to step aside, not to abandon the fight, but to protect the very integrity of the fight.”
Isang hakbang na mabigat, ngunit isa ring pagpapakita ng prinsipyo. Kung tutuusin, binigyang-diin pa ni Magalong na wala namang “conflict of interest” sa kanyang posisyon, ngunit pinili pa rin niyang magbitiw upang mapanatili ang integridad ng komisyon.
Ang Malacañang, sa pamamagitan ni Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave Gomez, ay nagpahayag ng respeto sa desisyon ni Magalong at sa kalayaan ng ICI:
“It is unfortunate that Mayor Magalong resigned. The demand of the Filipino people from the Independent Commission on Infrastructure is higher than that of any one person. The commission, comprising distinguished professionals of unassailable integrity, has hit the ground running from day one. The Palace respects the autonomy of the commission. Let’s allow them to do their job and deliver on their mandate.”
Ngunit higit pa sa pagbibitiw, ang mga pahayag ni Magalong ay nagsilbing paalala sa taumbayan.
“Change will not happen overnight. As long as we remain vigilant, as long as we continue to resist, and as long as we keep faith in our country, then we will prevail. The power of the people will always be stronger than the power of the few.”
Hindi lamang ito personal na laban kundi pambansang panawagan—isang panawagan ng pagkakaisa laban sa katiwalian.
At sa huli, iniwan niya ang mga salitang dapat tumimo sa isipan ng bawat Pilipino:
“We should never allow corrupt political leaders and bureaucrats to steal the future of our children, and most importantly, the future of our country. Every peso stolen from the people is not just an act of theft. It is a school left unfinished, a hospital without medicine, a bridge that collapses, and a nation’s hopes betrayed.”
Sa kanyang pagbibitiw, ipinakita ni Magalong na ang laban para sa katotohanan at katarungan ay hindi nasusukat sa posisyon. Ito ay nasusukat sa paninindigan—at iyon ang tunay na hamon para sa lahat ng Pilipino. (Mario Batuigas)
